EVOLUTION OF THE DOGS
Dogs have been around for millions of years. A s far as
anyone knows does the dogs of today, among others,
originally descend from the miacids, which lived 50 million
years ago. This animal was the forebear of the cat, raccoon,
bear, hyena, and civet, as well as of the wolf, fox, jackal, and
dog. Miacis, undoubtedly a tree climber, probably also lived in
a den.
The fossil record shows three main groups of dogs.
The first group evolved in North America
about 40 million years ago. Fossil evidence
tells us that these first dogs looked like a cross
between a weasel and fox. The name
Hesperocyon means "western dog." The hesperocyonines
became extinct about 15 million years ago.
The second group, the borophagines , began
flourishing about 34 million years ago and
were larger hyena-like animals with huge
jaw muscles and sturdy teeth. They became
extinct about 2.5 million years ago.
The third group, the canines, includes the
extinct dire wolf and all living species of
canines. This group occurred only in North
America until about 7 million years ago, when
some species crossed a land bridge to Asia.
Dogs are probably the descendants of the grey wolf. The
first demonstrable signs of relationships between man and
wolves date back to 10.000 to 15.000 years ago.
THE DOGS AND THE HUMANS
A wolf-like ancestor of the dog was probably the first
animal to be domesticated by humans - more than 10,000
years ago. Our relationship has come a long way since.
W
During the Middle Ages, people started seeing dogs as
status symbols. The number of dog breeds started to increase
enormously. This is still happening today. The dog evolved in
the company of humans and cannot exist without them. That
relationship has become so intimate that dogs are often viewed
as creatures apart - neither person nor beast. The ancients saw
dogs as messengers between the living and the dead. Today
dogs are often used in experiments that might threaten human
lives.
LIFE HISTORY OF A DOG
The normal life span of a small or medium-size dog is
about 15 years. A large dog lives only about ten years,
however. On the average, a ten-month-old dog is sexually
mature. Whelping is usually a painless task. The bitch licks
the pups as dry as she can. The puppies draw nourishing milk
from their mother until 4 months of age, until they are weaned,
or given food more solid than milk to eat. The puppy's eyes,
which are closed at birth, open when it is between one and two
weeks old. By the time it reaches its first birthday a puppy is
considered a dog, although sexually mature beforehand. When
a dog reaches old age, its eyes begin to weaken. The hair on its
muzzle turns grey. The old dog begins to feel numerous aches
and pains and might become easily irritated and snap at
members of the family.
DOGS – CHARACTERISTICS
Dogs have in similarity to wolves 78 chromosomes. They
have well-developed teeth with visible adjusting towards meat
diet. The skeleton of the dog is made of about 300 bones, of
which some 20 is caudal vertebras. The dog lacks collar bone.
Dogs like to sleep a lot and they are equipped with an
urge to keep themselves somewhat clean. The dog should be
able to live in a dry place and have great freedom to move
about. It must be given the opportunity to relieve itself at least
three times a day.
If the dog holds its tail high and wags it, the animal is
happy and confident. If it drops its tail and remains still, the
dog is apprehensive. If it pulls its tail between its legs, the dog
is afraid.
RECORDS
The English Mastiff and the St. Bernhard dog is regarded
as the heaviest breeds. The individual record is held by an
English Mastiff, Zorba, in 1989 weighing 155,6 kg. Zorba, is
listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as heaviest dog
in the world.
The smallest full grown dog, a Yorkshireterrier, weighed in
1944 merely 113 gram. The yorkshireterrier constitutes along
with the Chihuaha and the toy poodle the smallest breeds.
OUR FAVORITES
The German Shepherd
Dog
German Shepherds are also
known as Alsatians and were
originally bred as herding dogs.
The dogs height: 60-65 cm and
weight: 35-40 kg. The coat may
be solid black, grey, tan or
gold. Its ears are medium sized
and set high and erect. The neck is strong and muscular. The
tail is bushy, set low.
German Shepherd Dogs are intelligent, responsive,
solid temperament. They love their own children in the family,
but may be suspicious of other children. They love other pets,
if trained from puppyhood to accept other pets. German
Shepherd Dogs are very good watch-dogs and guard-dogs.
This versatile breed has well-earned the reputation as family
companion, guide dog, police dog, and, of course, herder.
They are excellent travellers and love to ride in the car for
long trips. They are truly a companion and can be taken
everywhere - fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, etc. Their
life span is 12 - 13 years.
The German Shepherd needs a large open yard. They are
extremely intelligent and make a wonderful companion, show
or obedience dog. The German Shepherd is exceptionally
trainable, but sometimes the training is not easy as they are
intelligent and will try to think of ways to avoid doing what
you are asking.
The Newfoundland dog
The Newfoundlands are now used primarily as
watchdogs and companions. The Newfoundland is a large dog.
Males can grow to 70 cm tall, and weigh 65 kg; the females
are slightly smaller. This breed of dog has an impressive barrel
chest. Its double coat is dense and water-resistant. Most
Newfies are black, but brown, and grey varieties exist, as well
as the striking black-and-white "Landseer". They drool, they
shed. Shedding of the undercoat is twice a year. Newfies have
short life spans. These dogs only live an average of 8 to 10
years.
Newfoundland dogs are even tempered, intelligent, and
confident. This dog is good-humoured, gentle, friendly with
all living creatures, and will protect its family if necessary.
The Newfoundland is famous for his gentleness,
protectiveness and love of children. (Nana in the original Peter
Pan was a Newfoundland.) This breed will be a good friend to
any other dog, animal or visitor with good intentions. The
Newfoundland is very sensitive to the tone of your voice.
Training must be calm and consistent.
The Newfoundland dog is at home in the water as he is on
land. The breed is also born with the instinct to lifesaving and
numerous documented records exist of rescuing human beings
from drowning by the Newfoundland.
The Rottweiler
Today this dog is one of the most popular in the world.
The Rottweiler has a massive, powerful body. He is always
black with rust to mahogany markings, spot over each eye. His
height: 61-69 cm and weight: 43-59 kg. The Rottweiler is
basically a calm, confident and courageous dog with a selfassured aloofness. He is self-confident and responds quietly.
Intelligence low to medium. Activity level is high outdoors,
low indoors. A very good watchdog. The Rottweiler is
dominant to other dogs, may fight, chase, or kill livestock.
May be aggressive towards a child if provoked by teasing or
roughhousing. The Rottweiler´s life span is 10-12 years.
They can be dangerous dogs if not raised the correct way.
A Rottweiler has it in his blood that tells him that anything
that breathes or moves is not welcome in ‘his’ household,
UNLESS his owner says it is okay.
THE DOGS